Spark plug



11 am@ www@ J. T. LITTLE-TON, JR

SPARK PLUG Filed Oct. 19 1921 'q j 19 j@ 7 7@ M mL-LLL:

1 H y i 12 1 7 atto: we 14 @atented Nov. il, i924.

y stares anar y JESSE T. LXTTLETON, JR., OF COMING. NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CORNING GLASS WORKS, OIE' CORNING, YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.l

SPARK PLUG.

i Application led October 19, 1921. Serial No. 508,798.

To all lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, JESSE T. LITTLETON,

Jr., a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Corning, New York,

have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Spark-Plugs, of whichY the following is a specification.

T his invention relates to a new and useful construction of spark plug for explosive engines, the object had in view being the construction of a plug in which the usual cap construction and its connection to the electrode is dispensed with and the connection between the electrode and the external wiring is vi'nade by a flexible joint, not subject to breakage, from vibration or external strain. This construction minimizes the breakage of the insulating core in attaching or detaching the 'wire of the spark device to the plug. It also eliminates the eect of vibration which is destructive to the spark plugs of the ordinary type, that is, with heavy rigidly attached metal tops.

This invention also removes from the top of thecore the metallic binding parts generally placed thereon, all binding parts in my construction being to one side of the core so that if the core is of transparent material (as of glass) an unobstructed view ma be had lengthwise of the core.

ith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated and claimed.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of myv improved spark plug.

Figure 2 is a fragmental vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure `5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, the metal shell 1 that carries an insulating core 2, is ada ted to be screwed into the engine cylin er.VV

The core 2 is secured within the shell 1 by any` weil known and suitable means.

he core 2 is made of an insulating material (but preferably of g ass as shown in my capendu; application, Serial Number -1 led uly 6, 1921), and embedded therein is a T-shaped electrode having a vertical portion 6 which extends a suitable distance below the lower edge of the shell 1 and adjacent to the other electrode, shown at 20.

The vertical portion 6 of the yelectrode does not extend the entire length of the core 2, but terminates adjacent to the upper end thereof whereit unites with a cross portion 7, that extends horizontally through the core near the top thereof. The cross portion 7 protrudes through the core 2 and forms two protruding knobs. The connectiony between the vertical and horizontal 'portions or' the electrode may be made by wrapping the former around the latter as shown at 3 in Figure 3.

The clamp 8 is in the `form of a split ring designed to encircle the upper end of the core 2, and having on one side thereof an eye 9. This clamp is preferably formed from a suitable resilient material that is bent to form the eye 9, a constricted neck portion 10 and two resilient arc shaped snaps 11. The eye 9 is for the reception of a binding post 12, as shown in .Figure 5, firmly xed therein. As a convenient construction for this purpose a disc is provided having an opening therein in which is fastened the lower end of the binding post 12, and upwardly extending side walls 15 in the form of an annular iange which encircles the lower edge of the eye 9 of the clamp 8, the side wall being out as at 16 to which the upper edge of the eye 9 of the clamp abuts', when the lower end of the post 12 is fast in the disc 13. Upon the upper end of the binding post 12, is a usual locking nut 18, by which the wire of the sparking device is connected t the plug.

In the snap 1l of the clamp 8, are cut two longitudinal slots 19, to receive the protrudimgr ends of the cross portion 7 of the electrode. The width of the slots 19 is substantially the same as the diameter. of the cross portion 7 of the electrode, while the length of the ends of the cross portion 7 extend out of the cere 2 to a distance a proaimately equal to the thiess of t e material of the snaps 11. To remove the clamp 8 from the core 2, the snaps 11 are sprung open, so that the slots 19 will be disengaged from the ends of the'cross portion 7. v' Y Using the above described construction with a core of transparent material, permits nf an unobstructed view downwardly into thecombustion chamber, permitting'the operator to note the cylinder which is not functioning properly.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim is,

' 1. A spark plugvhaving a core and a T'- shaped electrode which head isoembedded in the core, and means for connecting a terminal wire to the ends of the cross head of the electrode.

2. A spark plug having embedded in the core a T-shaped electrode, said electrode having a vertical limb extending beyond the lower tip of the core and a horizontal limb extending through the core.

3. A spark plug' having a T-'shapedelectrodethe head of which is embedded in and projects beyond the sides of the core and removable spring member surrounding the core and conductively engaging the ends of the headr ofthe electrode.

Larmes 4. A spark plug having a T-shaped cenone side of the core and connected with the electrode to receive a terminal Wire of a sparking device.

5. A spark plug having a forked central electrode embedded in uthe core at the point of bifurcation, and clamping means around the core for conveying electricity to the head of the electrode. y

6. The combination in a spark plug, of an insulating core, an electrode comprising two units, each partly embedded in the core, one extending axially of the core, and the other transversely thereto, the last member terminating on the outside of the core, and means for connecting the member With a source of electro-motive force.

A spark plug having an insulating core, and a bifurcated electrode contained therein, the point of bifurcation being within the core, the ends of the bifurcation terminating on the outside of the core to receive electro-motive force.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

JESSE T. LITTLETON, JR, 

